The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC06335 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1765-1774 |
| Title | George Washington to James Mercer regarding business matters relating to land and agriculture |
| Date | 26 December 1774 |
| Author | Washington, George (1732-1799) |
| Recipient | Mercer, James |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Written by Washington a month after the adjournment of the first Continental Congress to Mercer as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. Informs Mercer of the cost of purchases made for him in Frederick, Maryland including £29 for a slave named Kate. Says the whole of Mercer's purchase was for £2385.14.2. Has heard nothing from Colonel Payton on the Loudoun County land for which Mercer was charged. Washington is involved in a disputed land deal through Mercer for Gray & Adams land, and he writes that it appears that the land in question is 56 acres short of the 1224 he was going to buy. Says he will not be pleased if that is the case and will not be bound by it. Says Mercer's wording of the land warrant is not sufficiently strong and straight-forward. Says he has written to Mercer's brother and has sent along a copy (not present). Makes reference to the wheat crop. Mentions cattle sales in Frederick and says Mercer is too optimistic about the worth of his herd. Says he is not in great need of cattle for Mount Vernon, but might be willing to make a deal with Mercer for some. Says he is most interested in cows and heifers. References Mercer's brother's "affairs" at the end of the letter. A long docket discusses power of attorney to sell G. Mercer's estate in Frederick and Loudoun, and discusses John Mercer's settlement of a debt to Custis. Settlement estimated at £2300. Two small areas of text loss on page three. |
| Subjects | African American History Women's History Slavery Slave Sale Finance Land Transaction Boundary or Property Dispute Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Wheat Mount Vernon Debt Estate President |
| People | Washington, George (1732-1799) Mercer, James (1735-1793) |
| Place written | Mount Vernon, Virginia |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Agriculture; The Presidency; African Americans; Slavery & Abolition; Agriculture |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Signer of the U.S. Constitution. James Mercer served as a captain in the French and Indian War and was commander of Fort Loudoun, Winchester, Virginia in 1756. He was active in pre-Revolutionary affairs, was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses 1762-1775, a member of the Virginia conventions of 1774, 1775, and 1776, a member of the committee of public safety in 1775 and 1776, and a member of the State constitutional convention in May 1776. He served as a Member of the Continental Congress in 1779, as a judge of the General Court of Virginia 1779-1789, was a trustee and president of the Fredericksburg Academy 1786-1790 and judge of the first Virginia Court of Appeals from 1789 until his death in Richmond, Virginia in 1793. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide |